Clutch



Patented Sept. 3, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I V2,407,019 'l CLUTCH V Jrnawara Kosiur, Amarillo, frex. Application June 17, 194s, "serial No; 491,201

This invention relates to aclutch assembly primarily but not necessarily adapted for use in motor vehicles. i

It is aimed to provide a` novel clutch unit approximately as a single body with as many parts made integral as practicable and especially one which avoids movable parts subject to great wear other than the lining, springs, bolts, collars, pins, and the like, and one which' will not require adjustment.

Various additional objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawing:

Figure lis a diametric view primarily in section illustrating the improved clutch assembly;

and

Figure 2 is a view practically in elevation of the clutch alone taken on the plane of line 2-2 of Figure 1, the flywheel being omitted for clearness.

Referring specically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts, IS designates a flywheel of a propelling internal combustion engine of an automobile or self-propelled vehicle, and II designates the clutch shaft. The inner surface of the flywheel I has annular portions I2 and I3, at opposite angles so' as to provide a channel of V-shape:

Associated with the flywheel and located interiorly thereof is a clutch member or plate generally designated I4 such plate being connected to a hub member I5 as by means of rivets IB, and the hub member in turn is fastened rigidly in any suitable manner to the shaft II as at l1 and its fastening is augmented by a bolt I8 passing through the hub and through the shaft.

Said plate I4 is made of resilient sheet metal and it has inclined peripheral portions at I9 and 2i), corresponding to those at I2 and I3 respectively, and rendering its periphery of V-shape. Such plate I4 at suitable intervals is cut or slit radially inwardly from the periphery as at 2|, and each portion thus provided has a struck-out rib or the like 22 serving to increase the resilience of the portion and provide a line on which the portion hinges or exes. Preferably each portion I9 and 2) is lined with the usual facing material as at 29, riveted in place at 36. Normally however the resilient action of the plate maintains the lining 29 expanded and in Contact with the surfaces I2 and I3.

Each peripheral portion of the clutch plate I4 4 claims. (c1. 1924-75)` dividedor separated by slots 2| has a rigid depending arm 24 provided with webs 26 conforming in angularity to the portions I9 and 20, tting against th'e same and being secured rigidly thereto bythe rivets 3i). The arms 24 have longitudinallyextending terminal lugs 21 arranged in the path of movement of a clutch release bearing 28 of .conventional form, slidably mounted on the shaft II, being normally retracted as shown in Figure l but depressible against the lugs 21 to disenga'ge: the clutch, upon depression of the clutch pedal of the automobile or vehicle.

The clutch is shown engaged or applied, which is its normal condition, in Figure l. In order to release the clutch the Operator depresses the clutch pedal of the rvehicle (not shown), which slides the conventional clutch bearing 28 into contact with the lugs 21 of arms 24. Continued sliding movement of the clutch bearing tilts th'e arms 24, causing them to disengage the lining 29 on the surfaces of I2 and I3, since the margina] clutch portions of the plate I4 hinge at the rib-s 22, thus contracting the plate I4. However, when engaging the clutch, the operator slowly releases the said clutch pedal and the spring action of th'e plate I4 will restore it to normal position with the lining 29, effecting the clutch engagement with the surfaces I2 and I3.

It will be realized that the clutch plate I4 is substantially an integral part or rigid unit avoiding moving elements and especially the use of springs, bolts, collars, and pins; requires no adjusting and cannot wobble or wear, thus eliminating play or backlash, is air-cooled and will not squeak, chatter, or jerk, but will give a smooth operation, adding to the life of the 1inings and eliminating stripped gears or broken axle shafts due to sudden jerks.

Furthermore, the improved clutch' is very light in weight and well adapted for use on aircraft or other machinery where disengagement of power isnecessary. Also its smooth operation is attributable to a great extent to the portions having two toes and one heel per section.

Various changes may be resorted to provided that they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A clutch comprising inner and outer coeicient members, the inner member consisting of a flexible plate provided with a peripheral portion adapted to engage the inner side of the outer member, said peripheral portion being formed with transverse slots dividing the same into segments, said slots extending radially into the plate whereby to weaken the plate and permit ilexibility thereof, and means operative against the said inner member adapted to iiex the same in order to eiect a disengagement of the peripheral portion from the outer member.

2. A clutch comprising inner and outer coeilicient members, the inner member consisting of a flexible plate provided with a peripheral portion adapted to engage the inner side of the outer.

member, said peripheral portion being formed with transverse slots dividing the same into segments, said slots extending radially into the plate whereby to weaken the plate and permit exif bility thereof, and means operative against the said inner member adapted to ex the same in order to elect a disengagement of the peripheral portion from the outer member, said plate being; formed with a continuous corrugation, said plate said inner member adapted to flex the same in order to effect a disengagement of the peripheral portion from the outer member, the sections of said peripheral portion being provided with inwardly disposed arms, said means being operative against the arms to ex the said segment.

4. A clutch comprising inner and outer coefcient members, the inner member consisting of a flexible plate provided with a peripheral portion adapted to engage the inner side of the outer member, said peripheral portion being formed with transverse slots dividing the same into segments, said slots extending radially into the plate whereby to weaken the plate and permit flexibility thereof, and means operative against the said inner member adapted to flex the same in order to effect a disengagement of the peripheral portion from the outer member, the sections of Said peripheral portion being provided with inwardly disposed arms, said means being operative against the arms to iiex the said segment, said arms being formed with laterally disposed portions, a shaft on which the plate is splined, said shaft being provided with an abutment adapted to engage the laterally disposed portions of the arms to effect iiexation of the segment and disengagement from the complemental outer clutch member.

J. EDWARD KOS'I'UR. 

